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Copy 1 



ADDRESS 



OF 



Hon. Henry Breckinridge 



100 copies privately printed. 

No. 67 



ADDRESS 



OF 



Hon. Henry Breckinridge 

Assistant Secretary of War 



IN THE 
ACCEPTANCE OF 



The Equestrian Statue 



Major-General John Sedgwick 



GETTYSBURG PENNA 
June 19 1913 



B'^Lj 






YOUR EXCELLENCY: It is indeed an honor 
and pleasure for me to accept, on behalf of the 
War Department, the splendid memorial of 
Major-General John Sedgwick, provided by the State 
of Connecticut. 

It is good for a people to make tangible expression 
of their appreciation of the sacrifice of heroes in behalf 
of the public weal. It is fitting to erect lasting monu- 
ments to the memory of noble patriots for an eternal 
reminder to coming generations of what qualities are 
required if a nation is to endure. 

Righteousness, not gold, exalteth a nation. Not the 
pomp and pride and outward circumstance of power, 
but the steel and truth of the individual character 
bring safety in storm and stress. Not the gleam and 
glitter of splendid equipage, or the sparkle of rare 
jewel worn to adorn a beautiful woman spell the true 
wellbeing of the country; but in the honesty, upright- 
ness, self-respect and wellbeing of the common man, 
and in the purity, fidelity, and good condition of the 
common woman is treasured the true foundation of 
the nation's greatness. The body is more than raiment; 
the mind is more than the body, and the spirit is more 
than all. We love John Sedgwick for the spirit that 
was in him and we glory the more in his greatness 



because he was peculiarly endowed with the virtues 
upon which depend the lasting greatness of the 
Republic. 

First, he was submissive to the discipline of religion 
and in time of spiritual tribulation was wont to resort 
for comfort and strength to the infinite resources of 
the living God. In writing to his father and mother 
after the death of his sister Olive he said, "How little 
we know what God's purposes are concerning us! 
You and mother, I know, are supported and comforted 
by the consolation of knowing that you have entrusted 
your all into His hands." And later in the same 
letter, "Poor Emily, how desolate she must feel, and 
Mr. Fuller too; but they both have faith and con- 
fidence in the love of the Saviour." These words 
were written in John Sedgwick's forty-third year and 
exhibit the tested faith of a full developed manhood. 
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." For the 
best interpretation of a man's life and practice seek 
out and learn the faith that is in him. 

Coupled with his religious faith was a deep rooted 
love of home and family. In the same letter from 
which I have already quoted he said, "It is a great 
consolation to believe that wherever I may die I shall 
be buried near my family." Again, a short half year 
before the outbreak of our Civil War, we find him 
writing home to provide for retaining the old family 
pew — "the one our father and mother always 
occupied." His letters to his sister Emily were con- 
stant and to them we are indebted for the most 
illuminating exposition of his private character. He 
loved his family with an intense love and through 
these letters constantly showered upon them the most 
unreserved expressions of affection and consideration. 
In the midst of cruel war his mind was ever turning 
home and his yearning found vent in the expression 



of the unfulfilled intention that "If this war is ever 
terminated I intend now to leave the service and live 
a quiet and, I hope, a happy life at my old home.'* 

To a strong religious faith and love of home John 
Sedgwick added the virtue of modesty. The man who 
led the Greek Cross of the 6th Corps to undying fame 
expressed in 1862 the fear that the command of 13,000 
men was above his capacity. And, again, when it 
seemed that Sedgwick could have had command of 
the Army of the Potomac by simply stretching forth 
his hand, he would not make the move. Whether or 
not it would have been for the advantage of the Union 
cause for him to have taken this command is not for 
us to say. Suffice it that we truly appreciate the self- 
abnegation of one who subordinated ambition and 
self to what he thought to be the best interest of his 
country. And, Oh! how loyal he was. When 
McClellan began to lose favor Sedgwick stood back 
of him like a rock, saying "I mean to stand or fall with 
McClellan. He has been very kind to me, giving me 
a large command without my asking for it, and I am 
afraid too large for my deserts, and I believe they are 
determined to crush him." 

Modest in his estimate of his own deserts, so was he 
generous in praise of his subordinates — always 
heartily commending their worthy deeds and pressing 
their claims for advancement. 

Generous, loyal, modest, genial, home-loving, affec- 
tionate — no wonder that John Sedgwick gripped men 
to him by the steely bands of love. Had he never 
found in war's havoc the setting for an enduring glory, 
the loveliness and truth of his private character would 
have created a lasting tradition among those with 
whom he came in contact. 

To do justice to the military career of General 
Sedgwick, I will not attempt today. The mere reading 



of his military record sounds like a roster of world 
famous battles. Disregarding minor operations 
against the Indians before and after the Mexican War, 
we read the Siege of Vera Cruz ; Cerro Gordo ; Amazo- 
que; San Antonio; Churubusco, where he was brev- 
etted Captain for gallantry; Molino del Rey; Chepul- 
tepec, where again brevetted Major for galantry, and 
the capture of Mexico City. Then came an interval 
of quasi peace, disturbed by Indian fights and border 
disturbances in Kansas. Now Fort Sumter sounds 
the call to resume the record already noteworthy: 
In the defences of Washington to August, 1861, 
Assistant Inspector General; Brigade Commander; 
Division Commander guarding the Potomac; Division 
Commander in Virginia Peninsular Campaign; Siege 
of Yorktown; Fair Oaks; Peach Orchard; Savage's 
Station; Glendale, where he was wounded; Northern 
Virginia Campaign on the retreat from Bull Run to 
Washington; Maryland Campaign; Antietam, where 
he was thrice wounded ; the Rappahannock Campaign ; 
Storming of Marye Heights; Salem; Gettysburg; 
Rapidan; Rappahannock Station; Mine Run, the 
Wilderness and Spottsylvania — always in the van of 
the battle ; ever the special dependence of his superiors ; 
calm; knowing no fear; prompt; cool; determined; 
never faltering. Why he was not killed a hundred 
times before only the God of Battles can reply. Why 
he was not spared to see the cause he fought for 
succeed only the God of Battles fully knows. 

We stand upon a battlefield significant for all time 
in the history of the world. With Marathon and 
Tours and Waterloo the fame of Gettysburg will 
endure as long as man is interested in his own con- 
dition, for here it was decided that the nation holding 
more of hope for mankind than any that had trod the 
earth since Israel walked in union with Jehovah was 



not to be disrupted by the throes of civil convulsion. 
When Vicksburg fell and Lee recoiled from Gettys- 
burg, the cause of the Confederacy was doomed. 
Every general who led troops on this field has written 
his name forever in the hall of fame. The name of 
ever^'^ man who fought here, whether he rank as 
private or general, should be cherished with patriotic 
reverence down the generations of his descendants. 

Many of you remember the fatigue and agony of 
that night march to the battle — the summons from 
Meade received at 9 o'clock, after a hard day of 
marching and work — already wearied at the start; 
the iron will of Sedgwick pushing the column. The 
intense heat of that July night, the dust, the sweat, 
the bleeding feet, the head seeming about to burst, 
but no faltering, no stopping. The order from Meade 
is peremptory — the fate of the Union may depend 
upon the timely arrival of the 6th Corps. Better a 
few killed by marching than an army destroyed. It 
does not seem that human flesh and human spirit 
can stand the strain. Thirty-six miles in 17 hours. 
The sounds of the battle are heard; the booming of 
the cannon and the rattle of the musketry speak the 
dire need for the 6th Corps. The line of battle is 
approached; brigades are detached hither and yon 
to the support of the suffering Union lines. Brigade 
after brigade is sent off by the General till finally he 
virtually is without a command. He has accomplished 
his task — he has led one of the famous marches of all 
time and by his indomitable will, unfaltering courage 
and the heroic devotion of his men, has clinched the 
victory and perhaps saved the life of his country. 

Less than a year later the soul of John Sedgwick 
was sped to God by a bullet. Heaven was enriched 
by another pure spirit; mankind, though bereaved, 
was left a high example. 



When the threat of foreign foe perturbs the nation, 
or the violence of internal anarchy would convulse us, 
or the lust of greed oppress us, or the sins of immoral 
luxury undermine us, give us men like Sedgwick, 
seeking not their own but their country's ; ready to die 
for conscience sake. Woe be to the nation that 
forgets her heroes. Keep green the memory of our 
martyrs; teach the young the great deeds of their 
forbears; kindle the torch of patriotism with the fire 
of zeal and devotion. Hold to the things that are 
good. Preserve the simplicity and liberty of our 
political life and, under God, our country will survive 
the centuries in an ever continuing increase of 
greatness and justice. 



